Production of textile materials



HENRY DREYFUS WILLIAM A. DFCKIE WILLIAM 1- TAYLOR mvE NmRS Patented Apr;

warren stares Spondon, hear- Derby, England, assignors to Celanese Corporation of America, a, corporation of Delaware Application November 19, 1930, Serial No. 496,798

in Great Britain January 8, 193% 8 Claims.

This invention relates to artificial filaments, yarns or threads and their production by the extrusion of spinning solution through jets, nozzles, or'other spinning: orifices andi is an improvement in or modification of the invention described and claimed in U. S. application S. No. 389,412 filed 30th August, 1929 of which this application is a continuation in part; which application has issued as Patent No. 1,898,085.

In that specification processes and apparatus are described: whereby .the' filaments, yarns or threads (hereafter referred to as threads") are formed with a. regular or systematic irregularity in denier by stretching or drawing the threads at intervals, to amounts, and for periotls correspond-'- ing with the frequency, degree, and length of the variations in denier required in the threads produced, such drawing or stretching proceeding continuously with the production of the threads.

Various methods are described for eiiecting the variable stretching required, as,-for example, by

passing the threads round a roller rotating with varying peripheral speed, which causes the threads to be drawn downfrom the jet at varying velocities, or by periodically lengthening the path followed by the filaments or threads as they proceed from the spinning'jet or nozzle to a. winding ortwisting and winding device.

The variation in denier produced according to the invention may appear at regular long, or regular short intervals of length, or at regularly varying intervals, and variations of different degree or extent or both may appear at any desired intervals. Thus, forexample, groupsof irregularities may be produced in any desired order, always with the object of producing a regular or systematic effect from the alternating or periodically returning irregularities of the denier. v

Anhbject of the present invention is to provide a further means of drawing or stretching the threads to produce threads of variable denier as required, and according to one feature of the invention the threads after extrusion are drawn from the jet or nozzle at varying linear speeds by passing them over a roller rotating with a peripheral speed higher than thespeed of extrusion of the filaments, the frictional force exerted by the roller on the threads, and thereby the rate of drawing of the filaments, being caused to increase and decrease periodically, whereby a more or less frequent regular or systematic variation in denier is imparted to the filaments-or threads.

Thus, for example, the thread may be held in, or brought into frictional engagement with the roller by one or more bars, hooks, or other mem- (iJl. 18--8) bers moving across the path of the thread to increase and decrease periodically the arc of driving contact between the roller and the thread. The bar or bars, or other means,=1m. ay be moved across the path of the thread in-suchaw'ay as of its area so as to gripthe thread to a varying extent. Thus, the roller may be roughened in places, as for exampleby sandblasting or etching or by the application to the roller of suitable rough material, such as sand or emery cloth or the like. The thread may have a constant arc of driving contact,-in which case the variation in denier is due to-the varying frictional eifort produced by the differently roughened parts of the roller, or the arc of contact may be varied also, in the manner indicated above, to produce a more irregular variation in denier than is obtainable by either of the methods alone.

A further method consists in using a second roller adapted to be pressed intermittently on to the feed roller so that the thread passing between the rollers is frictionally nipped to a varying extent, any desired degree of slip. being .efiected by suitable choice of pressure between-the rollers. The second roller may run idly, or may bS-POSltively driven at a speed the same as or different from that ofthe feed. roller. One or bothof the rollers may have a surface which is roughened in parts as indicated above. 1

Before reaching theroller or -,rollers, the thread may be passed through a tension device, as for example, of the wellknown gate tension type, by means of which thevariation resulting from the action of the roller or rollers may be modified to a considerable degree. Moreover, by using an adjustable tension device with means for automatically varying the tension imparted, the degree of modification effected may be automatically varied, and further considerable variation in denier imparted to the thread.

A further feature of the invention relates to the method described in the prior U. S. application S. No. 389,412 by which the threads are drawn or stretched by causing them to traverse a path of varying length, after the extrusion of the ills.- ments from the jet. The parent specification de scribes passing the threads over or under-means such as a bar or bars, which move in such a manner as to constrain the thread to move along a length.

According to the present invention the length of filament 'pathis varied by passing the'filaments or threads-through one or more hooked or looped members.- or the like carried byrods, levers or other suitable ,means and' reciprocating or 05- cillating said members relatively to the normal straight path of the filaments or threadsso as to cause the threads to follow a path of varying length." Orthe threads may be acted on by a single bar which moves across their path with any desired frequency and to any desired amount to give them a variation in denier. These bars or other members may be arranged to operate on a single thread only, but they may likewise be of sufiicient dimensions or so operated to lengthen the paths of several threads simultaneously.

Thus, a single oscillating or reciprocating bar may be of suiiicient length to crossthe path of several threads which are being produced at the same time and are'proceeding to separate winding-or twisting andwinding devices. In this case, the

denier occurring at fairly short intervals, aneccentric orjcam or a rotating l mcmber-having two or. morearms may be rotated so as to lift or depress the threads 'frointhe normal straightpath between the-spinning cell andzthe feedfroiler, it being possible by these" mean's t stretch' {the threads with afargreate'r [frequencythan with;

oscillating or"reciprocating'devices. fTh'e tip'ol the eccentric or camor of eacharm of therotat" ing member may be grooved soas to ensure proper engagement with thethreads.

vIn order to increase the rangeof efiectswhich' can be formed on the threads, two or more devices such as those above described may be used in conjunction, the several devices operating with difi'erent frequency and/or amplitude so that the variations in denier occur with'a frequency and-"or degree which varies along a length of the thread. Similarly, one or more, of such devices may be used with other devices described in the parent specification with like effect. Such arrangements may be caused -to produce a group of denier variations which repeats itself at more or less long intervals along the length of the thread.

In order to eifect a greater lengthening of the path of the threads, particularly where the frequency 'of theoperation isf'airly high, the thread may be caused to pass one orp'moreiguidesor guide-bars arranged at one or both-sides respectively of the, device employed. The "closer these guide means are to thelengthening de'vice, the greater the lengthening eifec'ted, because of the more acute diversion from the straight path of the thread achieved.

Such guidesorguide bars may be replaced if desired by adjustable or variable tension devices from one denier to another as desired. All the jets or nozzles, whether in a single mctier or me.-

.Fig. 4 shows thread l2.

I 7 2,038,722 7 v path periodically increasing orv decreasing in chine, or in aseries of such,gwhichare. required toproduce the'same quality of material have as sociated therewith devices which are driven or stretching action on all the threads of filaments extruded from the jets or nozzles.

"controlled in sucha'manner as to exert the same e In all the methods for *producing'a variation in denier by a periodical variation in'st'retch of l Q at any desired speed, whether greater than the 'rate at which they are extruded or otherwise.

.The yarns or threads produced as described may be wound, or twisted and wound, for exam ple bymeans of cap-spinning devices, or centrifugal boxes. The yarns or threads of varying denier may be ,applied to the production of fabrics'or articles of novel appearance, either alone, or with yarns or threads of other natural or artificial filaments or fibres which may be utilized to give any desired design or pattern.

The invention may be applied to, the production of artificial filaments, yarns.o" r threads b'yeither the dry or "evaporative method, or the wet or coagulation method, whether using spinning solutions of cellulose acetate, or; other organic derivatives of cellulose, or viscose, nitrocellulose, cuprammonium or otherspinning solutions.

it is to'be understood'that this descriptionis given tative.

:'I hejinvention will now be described in detail. with reierenc'e to the accompanying drawingfbut= l showsthe lower part ofa spinnin'gjc'ab 4 v inet, ,together with oneiorm of apparatus for drawing filaments from the cabinet at a, varying I rate.

' .Fig. 2 shows another form of apparatus for drawing the filaments at a varying rate.

Fig. 3 shows apparatus according to a further feature of the invention for causing the filaments to follow a path of varying length, while a detail ofthe apparatus shown in Fig.3. 7. Figs. .5 and 6 show a further form of apparatus according to the invention...

Figs. 7 and 8 shows. variation of the apparatus showninFigsJiandti. Fig. 9 is a perspectiveviewbta further device according to the invention. 1

Referring to Fig. l, the spinning-cabinet"!!! is provided with an aperture ll, through which are drawn a number of filaments in the-form ota The filaments are led iover.;but not round a roller i3, from which they proceed to the guide M of a cap-spinning device I5, by, means of which they are twisted and woundv on to a bobbin l6. Two guides I'l,,l 8, beforeand behind the roller i3, are mounted upon an arm [9 I which is carried by a rod 20. The rod 20 slides in a guide'ZI, and is caused'to reciprocate up and down by means of a connecting rod 22 attached to a crank pin 23 mounted on a rotating disc 24. As the rod 20 andarmjl9 come into their lower position the guides Hand i8 deflect the thread l2 to the position shownzin the figure in dotted lines, so that the thread I2 contacts with the roller i3 over an increased'arc of contact. This increases the frictional force between the filaments and the roller l3 and so varies the rate at which the filaments are drawn from the spinning cabinet ill, a corresponding reduction aosa'rae 3 taking place in the denier of the filaments. On the upward movement of the guides ii, it, the friction between the thread i2 and the roller i3 is lessened, so that slip takes place, and the rate of draw-down of the filaments is lessened. Thus, there results a variation in denier corresponding with the frequency and extent of movement of the guides l1, l8.

Fig. 2 shows a further form of apparatus for drawing ed the threads at a varying rate. Here the filaments I2 pass over and in contact with a frictional roller 25 and are nipped against the roller 25 by means of a roller as. The roller 26 is carried upon an arm 27 pivoted about a point 29, a spring 29 being provided at the other end of the arm, the spring being alternately compressed and released by the rotation of a cam 36 about its axis 34. The alternate compression and release of the spring 29 gives rise to the alternate relief and application of the weight of the roller 26. In this manner the force with which filaments i2 are nipped against the roller 25 is caused to vary, with the result that the filaments are driven alternately faster and slower, and an intermittent variation in denier is thereby imparted to the filaments or threads.

In the two forms of apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the roller 83 or 25 may be roughened over part of its surface, as for example by etching or sand blasting, or by covering such part with suitable rough material such as sand or emery cloth or the like, so that the thread will be gripped by such roughened part of the roller with greater force than by the untreated part, whereby further variations in denier are imposed upon the thread. As stated, this toughening may be made use of in connection with the apparatus shown in Fig. l or Fig. 2, or even may be used by itself, the threads being merely passed over and in frictional contact wi.h such intermittently roughened roller, preferably making thereon a relatively large arc of frictional contact.

Referring to Fig. 3, this shows an apparatus whereby the path of the filaments is caused alternately to increase and decrease in length. The filaments 82 coming from the slot ii in the spinning cabinet ill pass through two hooked members 3!, over a guide 32 and round a feed roller and back guide 33. The hooked members 35 are mounted on rods 3% sliding in rotatable guides 35, and terminate at their lower ends in sheaves 3t, embracing two eccentrics 3i rotating on the same shaft 38. In this manner the hooked members 3! are caused to reciprocate relatively to the direct path of the filaments, from the slot ii to the guide 32 which is shown in dotted lines, whereby the length of the path of the filaments is caused to vary intermittently. The guide 32 is shown in this figure which limits the length of the path over which fluctuation takes place, and thereby increases the degree of fluctuation caused. A further guide may be provided if desired, between the spinning cabinet iii and the first guide 3 i, and again if necessary, between the two guides iii. If desired use may be made of one hooked member only instead of two, or again three or more hooked members may be used with as many co-acting stationary guides as may be desirable.

The form of hooked members 3i may be that of a simple pigtail guide mounted on the ends of the rods 35, or if desired a long looped member such as is shown in Fig. 4 may be used to control the path of two or more threads i2. Fig. 4 shows clearly how the guide 3! may deflect the thread i2 above its direct path by engagement with the part 39, and below the direct path by engagement with the part it. The threads are placed in, and if necessary removed from, the guide through the gap ll. Further, a large number of threads 12 may be produced, having some variations in denier, by using a single shaft 43 to drive a number of eccentrics along the whole length of a spinning machine producing a large number of threads.

Figs, 5 and 8 show a side view and an end view respectively of a device for producing rapid fluctuations of denier of the thread. A rotating memher having three arms 35 mounted upon a boss 35 is camed to rotate about a shaft 41. As shown in Fig. 6 the tips 48 of the members 45 are grooved so that the thread i2 is engaged by the said members and may not slip off the end in their rotation about the shaft ii. The members 45 lift the thread 52 from its normal straight path shown in dotted lines, thereby causing variations in the length of the path followed by the thread, and correspondingly in the denier of the thread. In view of the number of arms i5, and the lightness of the rotating path the frequency of the variations in denier produced may be made relatively high. More than three arms to may be used, with a corresponding increase in the frequency, though at the cost of the degree of fluctuation in denier. Guides 49, 58 are provided to limit the length of path in which such deviation takes place.

Figs. '7 and 8 show a side view and an end view of a single lift cam 5i rotating about a shaft 52 and having groove ends 53 for the purpose of retaining the thread. Such a cam may be used in the same manner as the three armed member shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the degree of variation obtainable with such a single lift member being greater than that obtainable with a three armed member. Similarly. a double lift member having two arms may be used with an increase of frequency, but without any loss in the degree of fluctuation. Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a device whereby the frictional pull on the filaments is alternately increased and decreased. The roller 52 mounted upon shaft 43 is modified over parts of its surface by the application thereto of emery cloth id. The thread passing over the roller is subjected to varying frictional effort produced by the diflerently roughened parts of the roller thus producing a variation in denier.

It will be understood that two or more of the devices shown in Figs. 5-8 may be used in conjunction, the devices rotating at the same or at different rates to produce regular or irregular, or cyclically occurring variations in the denier of the thread.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. Process for the production of artificial filaments, said process comprising forming the filaments by extrusion, and applying to the filaments continuously with their extrusion a continual and periodically varying frictional force so as to draw the filaments from the point of extrusion at varying linear speeds in the course of their production, whereby a variation in denier is imparted to the filaments.

2. Process for the production of artificial filaments of cellulose acetate, said process comprising extruding a solution of cellulose acetate in the form of filaments, and applying to the filaments continuously with their extrusion a continual and periodically varying frictional force so tinual and periodically varying irictional force so as to draw the filaments from the point of extru sion at varying linear speeds in the course of their production, whereby a variation in denier is imparted to the filaments.

4. Process for the production of artificial filaments, said process comprising forming a number of filaments by extrusion of a spinning solution of cellulose acetate into an evaporative medium, and applying to the filaments continuously with their extrusion a continual and periodically varying frictional force so as to draw the filaments from the point of extrusion at varying linear speeds in the course of their production. whereby a variation in denier is imparted to the filaments.

5. Apparatus for the production of artificial filaments, comprising a spinning jet, a roller over which'the filaments pass on leaving said jet, said roller being adapted to engage in continual frictional contact with the filaments, means for rotating the roller at a peripheral speed higher than the speed of extrusion of the filaments, and means for periodically varying the degree of frictional force exerted by the roller on the filaments so as to draw the filaments at varying linear speeds in the course of their production, whereby a variation in denier is imparted to the filaments.

{5. Apparatus for the production of artificial fi aments, comprising a spinning jet, a roller over which the filaments pass on leaving said jet, means for rotating the roller at a peripheral speed higher than the speed of extrusion of the filaments, and means for periodically increasing the arc of contact between the roller and the filaments, so as to vary the degree of frictional force exerted by the roller on the filaments and to draw the filaments at varying linear speeds in the course of their production, whereby a variation in denier is imparted to the filaments. '7. Apparatus for the production of artificial filaments, comprising a spinning jet, a roller over which the filaments pass on leaving, said jet, means for rotating the roller at a peripheral speed higher than the speed of extrusion of the filaments, a second roller adapted to nip the filaments against the first roller, and means for varying the force with which the fiiaments are so nipped, so as to vary the degree of frictional force exerted by the roller on the filaments and to draw the filaments at varying linear speeds in the course oi. their production, whereby a variation in denier is imparted to the filaments.

8. Apparatus for the production of artificial filaments, comprising a spinning jet, a roller over which the filaments pass on leaving said jet, and means for rotating the roller at a peripheral speed higher than the speed of extrusion of the filaments, said roller being provided with a surface which is modified in parts to give a varying coefficient of friction between the roller and the filaments, so as' to vary the degree of frictional force exerted by the roller on the filaments, and. to draw the filaments at varying linear speeds in the course of their production, whereby a variation in denier is imparted to the filaments.

HENRY DREYFUS.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER DICKIE. WILLIAM IVAN TAYLOR. 

